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The 1,000 days between pregnancy and a child’s 2nd birthday set the foundation for all the days that follow.

We lead the fight to make health and well-being during the first 1,000 days a policy and funding priority.

News

Addressing breastfeeding disparities across the United States

By Valentina Giraldo Lozano, intern at 1,000 Days of FHI 360 Breastfeeding provides a fundamental contribution to early childhood nutrition and health. However, in the United States its benefits are not experienced by everyone equally, as breastfeeding rates vary significantly by race and ethnicity. The national breastfeeding rate in the United States is relatively high: …

Breastfeeding in the United States: Empowering Mothers Through Paid Leave

Solianna Meaza, Interim Initiative Director at 1,000 Days of FHI 360, bonding with her firstborn during maternity leave.   By Solianna Meaza, Interim Initiative Director at 1,000 Days of FHI 360 In recent years, the United States has made progress in recognizing the critical role of breastfeeding in infant health and development. Central to this …

Nourishing, surviving, and thriving with breastfeeding

Breastfeeding gives babies the very best start to life—and benefits that reach far into the future. Breastmilk is nature’s perfect first food, tailor-made for babies providing all the nutrition including vitamins, proteins and fats that they need for the first six months of life. It also acts as a baby’s first vaccine, protecting them from …

Why new dads should take parental leave – lessons from my father

In the early 1990’s, my dad joined the first cohort of men to take part in Canada’s newly minted paternity leave program, a step so novel that it inspired a full-page newspaper spread and the now cringe-inducing moniker, “Mr. Mom.” Mr. Mom, aka Gordon Kent, took 6 months off work to stay home with me, …